It should be noted that I do not speak for DJ Diva. She is the sole controller of this site, and while I am her husband, I did not respond to you to discourage others from expressing their opinion.

Having said that…

I responded to you the way I did, because I do not feel we need to be warned about art. I also responded because to me this a personal responsibility issue as well.

Parents shouldn’t need warning labels to know something isn’t good for their child unless its something along the lines of medicine. There are no warning labels on a box of Oreos, yet you know better than to let your kid eat 9 boxes of ‘em. How is that? Perhaps you did some homework?

No one needs a warning before
listening because if they just play it, they will know if its appropriate or not. The words you hear are just that words. There are no good words, there are no bad words, there are only words. You have attached a judgment to these words. You’ve labeled them “nigga talk”–I object to that. In fact, its insulting. What you call “nigga talk” some people put their entire lives into creating into an artform. It demands respect, even if you (personally) don’t enjoy it. We hear swear words all day, but the minute someone utters one in a song…we’re offended…puh…leeze. Its disengenious at best.

Kids go to school when? August and September. Car Dealers have Back to School sales not because they want children to buy cars but because it gives them a way to market cars in August and September. Its a reference point. People say all the time “I’ll see you around the holidays” What they are really saying is…around December or January. My point is that the reference had nothing to do with children and that should be clear to any thinking adult.

You hit the nail on the head when you said you hear clean versions of xyz on the radio…this is not the radio–this is a music-centered website. The DJ is at the top holding a drink and is dressed in a sleeveless blouse. She is clearly an adult. I think its disingenious of you to suggest that you would be fooled into beliving a ANY song on this site is clean unless clearly labeled as such. I know I would never assume anything on a site like this is appropriate for my children.

Its not the DJ’s responsiblity to police art for you. Much of the “clean” rap you hear just bleeps out curse words but the offensive parts are usually “cleanly stated”. For example…”IT AIN’T NO FUN IF MY HOMEY CAN’T HAVE NONE” is there a curse there? Kinda offensive though if you ain’t the homey huh? Peace.

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2. “It is the responsibility of the listener to … discern whether what they are hearing is appropriate …”
I do have to agree with you here. But is it so wrong of me to ask for a little hint before I have to hear “Niggah this and F-that” 14 times? Isn’t this why we have ratings/warnings for movies, games, and, yes, CDs?

3. “The reference to “Back to School” was clearly … to the time of year.”
Yes, and your point here is? I mean, was I supposed to associate school kids bopping along in the street with (in a FEW cases) illiterate lyrics, and explicit rap?

4. “… I think it should have been fairly obvious to you that the music listed on this mixtape was explicit. Did you really think a song with 50 cent and T Pain was going to be “clean”????”
Well, I hear “clean” versions of 50 and T on the radio all the time. Again, with no warning, why should I have automatically expected “Back to School” to be the niggerized versions? LOL
Obviously, DJDIVA does not feel it necessary to have explicit cautions on the site. Her choice and her right. And obviously not many other listeners are raising the subject, so despite all my writing, I can see it’s NOT a big deal.
As a new person here, I merely stated my reaction to being surprised at that particular set.
Much love, and all hail President-Elect Barack Obama.

This is music site.

This is not a church site,

This is not a “nigga talk” site,

This is not a site that issues warnings about its music.

It is a DJ spreading her gift (for free, I should add) to the world.
It is the responsibility of the listener to listen and discern whether what they are hearing is appropriate for themselves and those they are concerned about. The reference to “Back to School” was clearly a reference to the time of year.

I responded to your comment because I think it should have been fairly obvious to you that the music listed on this mixtape was explicit. Did you really think a song with 50 cent and T Pain was going to be “clean”????
What could you possibly think was innocuous about the “Champagne” (remix)???? Seriously?

Your comment wreaked of high and mightiness and I don’t think that’s fair to the DJ.

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I respect and defend artists’ rights to use any words of expression they desire. If I know what’s up, then I can decide to listen or to pass, no problem.

I just hate to be blindsided by Nigga talk, F-this and MF-that in something as innocuous (I thought) as a “Back to School” mix.
Thanks!

I got you Daddy!

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